Most pet insurance plans have a 24–48 hour waiting period for accidents and 14–30 days for illness—but some providers offer immediate coverage (no waiting period) for accidents. This is critical for pet owners who want protection right away.
We compared 12 low-cost pet insurance plans to find the best options with no waiting period for accidents—balancing affordability and coverage.
How We Evaluated No-Waiting-Period Plans
- Verified waiting periods (accidents/illness) across 12 providers
- Calculated monthly premiums for dogs/cats (average U.S. breeds/ages)
- Checked for hidden fees (enrollment fees, cancellation fees)
- Analyzed coverage limits (annual/lifetime payout)
2026 No-Waiting-Period Pet Insurance Price Comparison
| Provider | Accident Waiting Period | Illness Waiting Period | Monthly Cost (Medium Dog) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Pet Insurance | 0 days (immediate) | 14 days | $29/month |
| Lemonade Pet Insurance | 2 days | 14 days | $25/month |
| Pets Best | 0 days (accident only) | 14 days | $32/month |
| Embrace | 2 days | 14 days | $35/month |
Spot Pet Insurance
Best for: Immediate accident coverage
Spot offers 0-day waiting period for accidents (the only major provider with true immediate coverage) and low monthly premiums. Illness coverage has a 14-day waiting period (standard for the industry).
Pros
- 0-day waiting period for accidents (immediate coverage)
- Low premiums ($29/month for medium dogs)
- Unlimited annual coverage option
Cons
- 14-day waiting period for illness
- High deductible options ($500–$1,000)
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Best for: Budget-focused no-wait coverage
Lemonade has a 2-day waiting period for accidents (effectively immediate for most owners) and the lowest base premiums. It uses AI for fast claims processing (paid in minutes).
Pros
- 2-day accident waiting period (almost immediate)
- Lowest monthly cost ($25/month for medium dogs)
- AI-powered claims (paid in 2 minutes on average)
Cons
- Not available in all U.S. states
- Annual coverage cap ($50k max)
Pets Best Pet Insurance
Best for: Balanced coverage (accident + illness)
Pets Best offers 0-day waiting period for accidents and 14-day for illness, with flexible deductible options to lower monthly cost. It covers more illnesses than budget providers.
Pros
- 0-day accident waiting period
- Flexible deductibles ($250–$1,000)
- Covers alternative therapies (acupuncture)
Cons
- Higher premiums ($32/month for medium dogs)
- Claims processing takes 7–10 days
Final Recommendation
- True immediate coverage: Spot (0-day accident waiting period)
- Cheapest option: Lemonade (2-day accident waiting period)
- Balanced coverage: Pets Best (0-day accident + 14-day illness)